Dr Fangying Wang, University of Manchester

The challenge

AI has the potential to transform engineering design, but many systems act as “black boxes”, producing answers without explaining how they reached them. In structural engineering, where decisions directly affect public safety, engineers must be able to understand, justify and verify every design choice, including those that have been supported by AI.  

The research

Dr Fangying Wang's research addresses this challenge by developing AI that engineers can trust. Her project investigates how AI can combine engineering knowledge, design standards and physics-based simulations to support transparent decision-making.  

The aim is to create an AI “copilot” that can interpret engineering design codes, analyse structural behaviour and clearly explain the reasoning behind its recommendations. By making AI more transparent and accountable, the research will help engineers design structures more safely, efficiently and reliably, while supporting the responsible adoption of AI in engineering. 

The researcher

Dr Wang is a Senior Lecturer in Structural/Earthquake Engineering at the University of Manchester. Her research spans structural engineering and AI. She has led research on applying machine learning to structural design and optimisation, developed hybrid data-driven approaches for complex steel–concrete structures, and contributed to the development of international engineering standards. Building on these experiences and close collaborations with industry, she aims to ensure that AI becomes a trusted partner for engineers, enhancing human expertise, supporting safer structural design, and helping shape the future of engineering practice.